syringomyelia

 
Pronunciation: /sɪˌrɪŋgə(ʊ)mʌɪˈiːlɪə/

noun

[mass noun] Medicine
  • a chronic progressive disease in which longitudinal cavities form in the cervical region of the spinal cord. This characteristically results in wasting of the muscles in the hands and a loss of sensation.

Origin:

late 19th century: modern Latin, from Greek surinx, suring- 'tube, channel' + muelos 'marrow'